Support for UTV’s Clark after Sinn Fein criticism

Staff Reporter

UUP MLA Doug Beattie has voiced support for UTV’s Paul Clark after the presenter faced Sinn Fein criticism over a news feature on the Royal Irish Regiment in Afghanistan.

The television anchorman came under fire from Niall O Donnghaile on Tuesday after posting a Twitter message referring to the troops of the British Army regiment as “ours”.

Promoting his series of reports for UTV Live this week, broadcaster Clark tweeted: “Day two of my reports from #Afghanistan. How do our soldiers stay sharp?”

Mr O Donnghaile, a member of the Irish Senate and former Lord Mayor of Belfast, took issue with the description and sparked a public spat with fellow Irish-speaker Clark – calling on the television anchor to amend his phraseology in future.

“Paul ain’t speaking for me and many, many other UTV viewers when he uses the term ‘our’.” he said.